Ticket sales push Powerball jackpot to $600M

May 17, 2013News Extra

DES MOINES, Iowa — With $600 million on the line, this is the time to play.

It’s the largest-ever Powerball jackpot and the second-largest world jackpot of all time. It could get even bigger before Saturday’s drawing.

On Wednesday, the Powerball was at about $350 million. By Friday morning it had grown to $550 million.

Now ticket sales have pushed to $600 million.

Because of that, in workplaces across the nation, Americans are inviting their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little fun with co-workers.

And besides, who wants to be the only person at work the next day when everyone else quits?

The Multi-State Lottery Association recognizes the popularity of pools and offers tips for organizing them. But it’s important to be careful. Workplace pools that yield big jackpots often result in lawsuits, broken friendships and delayed payouts.